Hull 3-2 Everton: First-Half Blitz Lifts Phil Brown's Men Over Blues

With the first attack of the game came the first goal. Stephen Hunt’s cross deflected into the path of Jozy Altidore, and although Howard superbly kept out his fellow countryman’s effort, he could do nothing to stop Hunt smashing home the rebound to give Hull an early lead.

Everton were visibly shaken by Hunt’s goal and Hull continued to pile on the pressure with Jozy Altidore giving Everton centre-halves Joseph Yobo and Sylvain Distin all sorts of problems.

The host’s pressure paid off just eight minutes later. Referee Martin Atkinson penalised Yakubu for a foul on Kamil Zayatte and from the resulting free-kick Andy Dawson curled a superb shot into the top corner from 30 yards. The free-kick award looked very harsh on Everton and David Moyes continued to complain to the fourth official long after the goal was scored.

Minutes later Everton finally created their first chance of the match. Sylvain Distin climbed highest to meet a corner but headed well over the bar when well placed inside the area.

That miss was to prove crucial with Hull further extending their lead on 26 minutes. More school-boy defending from Everton saw the ball fall to the feet of Dean Marney, and the former Tottenham man’s left-footed strike deflected off Tim Cahill and into the corner of the net to send the KC into raptures. Even injured Jimmy Bullard managed to get up and do a dance on the touchline.

Hull were absolutely cruising at this point and easily could have made it four before half time with Zayatte and Altidore both coming close.

Everton were all over the place and luckily the half-time whistle came with the Toffee’s only three behind.

David Moyes knew he needed to do something drastic to get his side back in the game and substituted Yakubu for young Dan Gosling at half-time.

Whatever the former Preston boss said at the break certainly worked as they came flying out the traps, Leighton Baines showing his teams intent with an ambitious effort seconds into the half which was saved well by Matt Duke.

Baines whipped in a free-kick minutes later, and although Hull managed to clear the danger, Everton were playing with a lot more purpose than in the first-half and you sensed a goal wasn’t far away.

That goal came after 49 minutes in very fortuitous circumstances. Dutch international Johnny Heitinga swung a ball into the Hull penalty area, and when Kamil Zayatte attempted to clear he sliced the ball horribly over Matt Duke’s head to give Everton the perfect start to the second half.

Hull tried to stop Everton’s momentum by keeping the ball in the minutes after the goal, and managed to win a free-kick which Geovanni smashed into the bottom of the wall.

Unlike the first half though both sides were in this game and Moyes showed his intent further by bringing off a limping Jack Rodwell for striker Jo on the hour mark.

Four minutes after that substitution Zayatte’s nightmare of a half continued when he brought down Louis Saha when infront of goal. The French striker pulled himself up from the floor to send Matt Duke the wrong way and get his side right back in the game with 25 minutes remaining.

In the aftermath of the penalty award Zayatte was booked for the foul on Saha and Pienaar was booked for complaining that the defender wasn’t sent off.

Everton continued to pile players forward in search of the win and Richard Garcia was unlucky that he didn’t catch them off guard when his shot from the edge of the area was parried away well by Howard in the 67th minute.

Everton were now commanding possession though with Tim Cahill leading there cause for an equaliser. The Australian making space to shoot but saw his shot go high over Matt Duke’s crossbar.

Phil Brown was now running down the clock in any way possible, with Jozy Altidore and Richard Garcia being replaced by Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and former Evertonian Nick Barmby.

Hull were camped in their own half in the last ten minutes with Everton constantly launching the ball into the Hull penalty area, but the ball just wouldn’t break for the blues.

Kevin Kilbane joined Nicky Barmby as another former Evertonian to come on in the dying minutes as Phil Brown tried everything to keep his side in front.

Leighton Baines hit the wall with a late free kick but despite Everton’s late pressure they couldn’t grab the equaliser.

Phil Brown will be ecstatic with the three points as his side held on for a deserved three points in a classic game of two halves at the KC Stadium.